Create Positive Change In Your Business

When you grow beyond your business, where do you go? As a creative, you express yourself in various ways. Yet it’s scary to think, If I add this to my skill set, will it affect my audience? Will I lose clients? If I raise rates accordingly, will it hurt my income? Any change creates a shift because clients are used to your particular service/product. There’s a reason why companies send out friendly hints months in advance when changing designs, etc. Most people don’t like change, so it’s safer to stay in what is comfortable because it pays the bills. Many healers are part-timers: they have other sources of income/partners and that makes shifts much easier. My work as a healer and writer is my entire income, so any change requires thoughtful preparation. I’ve written extensively about the ebb and flow and it’s a challenge to be courageous and say, I’m ready to expand. I don’t want to be known as just this.

You spend so much time building a brand, even if that brand is you. It takes years. If you change too quickly, too often or constantly tweak rates/description, it’s will be impossible to establish an identity in the shifting landscape of social media. Once enough clients trust you, you’re golden — but getting them to the door is key. Start with one thing. Build upon that thing. Get known for it. Your devotion should feel joyous and effortless, most of the time. The goal is to retain a portion of your clients because they will be loyal, even if they go to other healers. They are your marketers. They bring referrals. When your audience is strong and understands who you are – that’s the time to reach for greater expression in your business.

This means restructuring rates. As an entrepreneur, there’s no waiting for a boss to hand out a raise. Most healers — including myself — have issues around receiving money and it takes time to reach to a place of solid trust in yourself. Remember: whatever you charge, people will pay. My rule of thumb is to feel a new rate that is comfortable and go one step higher. I raised mine after two years and had fleeting worries that clients wouldn’t pay the small increase, though I offer plenty of discounts. Guess what happened? My core base is still loyal, new clients have arrived and have no problem paying my new rate — plus tips have increased! This wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have the courage to step forward and believe that I deserve what I charge.

When the time is right, go beyond what you know. Expand, trust and see who shows up. It takes faith to believe that things will settle when you make a postive change — but nothing is worse than being bored and stagnant. Your creative soul will thank you.